Welcome to the Old Mission, Santa Barbara

Established on the Feast of Saint Barbara, December 4, 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission was the 10th (of twenty-one total) California Missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans during the 1700's.

More than 220 years later, the Mission continues as a chief cultural and historic landmark in the city of Santa Barbara. Home to an active parish, the Mission occupies over 10 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, and also houses a museum and popular gift shop.
Affectionately known as the "Queen of the Missions", the Mission Santa Barbara stands as a monument to all Californians, extolling the virtues of past and present - in one.

California State Historic Landmark #309 reads:
Santa Barbara Mission was founded December 4, 1786. Portions of five units of its extensive water works, built by Indian labor, are preserved in this park, a filter house, Spanish grist mill, sections of aqueducts, and two reservoirs. The larger reservoir, built in 1806, is used today as part of the city water system. Ruins of the pottery kiln and tanning vats are here, also. The fountain and lavadero are nearby in front of the Old Mission. A dam, built in 1807, is located in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, one and one-half miles up Mission Canyon.